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Former Michigan State Spartans running back Le'Veon Bell on the sideline during action against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Friday, August 30, 2019 at Spartan Stadium. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio yells at his offense during the first half against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Friday, August 30, 2019 at Spartan Stadium. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Michigan State's Connor Heyward leaps to scoresa touchdown against Tulsa's Manny Bunch, right, and Brandon Johnson during the first quarter on Friday, August 30, 2019, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Nick King/Lansing State Journal

Michigan State defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk carries a sledge hammer while participating in the team walk before the Spartans game against Tulsa on Friday, August 30, 2019, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Nick King/Lansing State Journal

Michigan State offensive coordinator Brad Salem works with the team before the Spartans game against Tulsa on Friday, August 30, 2019, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Nick King/Lansing State Journal

But the story remains the inefficiency of the revamped offense. By a mile.

Here are some observations at halftime:

Limited production

MSU scored just one offensive touchdown, and it came on the opening drive. After that, it was sputtering mess.

The Spartans held a 171-79 edge in total yards, but 73 of those came on the first drive of the game. Their defense set them up in Tulsa territory four times in five drives, and the offense came away with three Matt Coghlin field goals and its second turnover on downs of the game.

QB Brian Lewerke looked good in the run game, leading MSU with 33 yards on six attempts. But there was minimal production elsewhere, with starting RB Connor Heyward getting 16 yards on six carries. The Spartans used Heyward and La'Darius Jefferson in the passing game, with four catches for 48 yards between them, including Heyward's 11-yard TD on the opening possession.

Connor Heyward runs toward the end zone during the first quarter against Tulsa.(Photo: Mike Carter, USA TODAY Sports)

Lewerke completed 13 of 23 passes for 109 yards, but his misses were glaringly long or wide and his pass catchers dropped a few as well.

MSU also had a fifth drive end in Tulsa territory when Heyward was stopped on fourth-and-1. Rocky Lombardi replaced Lewerke at QB twice, converting one first down on the opening drive and then getting stopped on the fourth-down play in the second quarter.

Fierce defense

MSU's defense looked as dominant as ever, with Kenny Willekes getting a sack, forcing a fumble of Tulsa QB Zach Smith and recovering it in the end zone for a TD. The Spartans also got a safety when a second snap sailed over Smith's head.

The Golden Hurricane had minus-46 rushing yards at halftime thanks to those snaps, and Smith was picked off by MSU linebacker Antjuan Simmons for Tulsa's third turnover.

Butler beat

Starting CB Josh Butler got beat twice in three plays on Tulsa's final drive of the half, which was aided by Willekes roughing the passer to extend extend the possession that began at the Golden Hurricane 15.

The first on Butler was a 37-yard pass from Smith to WR Keenan Johnson. Then Butler got burned by Sam Crawford for a 28-yard TD with 36 seconds left before halftime. Butler was flagged for pass interference on both plays, but both were declined because of the long completions.

Line dancing

The offensive line struggled amid shuffling.

Projected left tackle A.J. Arcuri did not play in the half. Kevin Jarvis started there, with Luke Campbell at left guard, Matt Allen at center, Matt Carrick at right guard and Jordan Reid at right tackle. Blake Bueter worked at all three interior spots, and Tyler Higby also played guard.

The Spartans had 59 rushing yards at halftime and just 3.1 yards per carry.